Audio programs

Public forum: Symbols of Australia

Join comedian Rod Quantock, historians and other writers for an entertaining, provocative and controversial look at Australia's best-loved symbols — from the quirky to the official, and those with the power to make a nation.

Rod Quantock will speak about his views of Australia's symbols and introduce a 'snapshots' segment. Each speaker in this section is an author of one of the chapters from Symbols of Australia (edited by Melissa Harper and Richard White) and will discuss the Australian symbols which they wrote about:

The Sydney Harbour Bridge: Peter Spearitt, University of Queensland

The Billy: Melissa Harper, University of Sydney

The Kangaroo: Linda Thompson

The Rainbow Serpent: Shino Kinoshi, Australian National University

Cooee and the Sydney Opera House: Richard White, University of Sydney

Woollen 'baggy green' cricket cap

Public conversation: Bowled over by Gideon Haigh

Journalist, acclaimed cricket historian and devoted club cricketer Gideon Haigh will explore the changing value of the baggy green and its significance as a symbol of Australia with sportswriter John Harms.